Hydroformylation of olefins using azoxy-dentated ligands

ABSTRACT

At a temperature in the range 100° C to 225° C the destructive dissociation of cobalt carbonyl compounds to cobalt metal and residue is inhibited by the action of one or more azoxy-dentated chelation ligands.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 479,345, filed June 14, 1974, now U.S. Pat. No. 4,096,191, which is in turn a continuation of application Ser. No. 150,862, filed June 1, 1971, now abandoned, which is in turn a division of application Ser. No. 857,547, filed Sept. 12, 1969, now U.S. Pat. No. 3,647,845.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to cobalt carbonyl compounds. More particularly, it relates to a method for the stabilization of cobalt carbonyl complex compounds by inhibiting their dissociation into metallic cobalt and residual components. The inhibition results from the action of an added azoxy-dentated chelation ligand. Still more particularly, it relates to the use of the foregoing stabilization method in the production of alcohols and/or aldehydes from olefinically unsaturated compounds by the cobalt carbonyl-catalyzed addition of carbon monoxide and hydrogen to the carbon-to-carbon unsaturation linkage(s) of these unsaturated compounds.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Cobalt carbonyl compounds including dicobalt octacarbonyl, cobalt hydrocarbonyl, etc., as such or in modified forms, are known for their use as catalysts for a variety of reactions relating to olefinic unsaturated organic compounds including the hydroformylation (oxonation) of olefins, isomerization of olefins, carbonylation of amines and aromatic nitriles, hydrosilation of olefins and the like. These catalyst complexes are subject to substantial limitations in that unless carbon monoxide pressures in excess of equilibrium values are maintained in their presence, these compounds destructively dissociate into cobalt metal and residue. Catalytic activity is thus lost and cobalt metal is plated-out on reactor walls and associated transfer piping. From time to time the accumulated metal must be removed by a suitable means, often by the use of aqueous nitric acid or a similar undesirably corrosive and inconvenient agent.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a method for the stabilization of cobalt carbonyl complex compounds, thereby substantially reducing cobalt metal deposition on the surfaces of reaction vessels and associated lines.

Another object of the invention is to provide a method for the stabilization of cobalt carbonyl complex compounds, thereby permitting their effective use as catalysts at lower carbon monoxide pressures and at higher temperatures than may be satisfactorily employed under conventional hydroformylation reaction conditions.

Another object of the invention is to provide a method to inhibit the plating-out of cobalt metal on the surfaces of a system containing cobalt carbonyl complex compounds from the destructive dissociation of cobalt carbonyl complex compounds.

Still another objective is the provision of an improved hydroformylation process in which alcohol is produced in a single-stage process by the reaction of an olefinic hydrocarbon with carbon monoxide and hydrogen in the presence of a cobalt carbonyl catalyst and facilitated by added azoxy-dentated chelation ligands. Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the ensuing detailed description thereof.

THE INVENTION

In accordance with the present invention, the stability of cobalt carbonyl complex compounds in a system in the presence of carbon monoxide gas is improved at a temperature in the range of from about 100° C. to 225° C. by the addition of an organic azoxy-dentated chelation ligand. For each mol of cobalt at least about 10⁻⁴ mol of the ligand should be available for contact with the complex compound.

In a more particular aspect of the invention, organic compounds containing olefinic unsaturation are converted to saturated alcohols and/or aldehydes having at least one more carbon atom than the precursor olefinic compounds by the reaction of the compound in the liquid phase with carbon monoxide and hydrogen in a reaction system in which the above-described stabilized cobalt carbonyl complex compounds are employed as the catalyst. In a corollary aspect of the invention, the plating-out of cobalt metal on the surfaces of systems containing the aforementioned cobalt carbonyls is inhibited by the addition of the above-described ligands.

Surprisingly, when cobalt carbonyl complex compounds are in contact with the subject ligands, destructive dissociation of the cobalt compound to metal and residue is markedly inhibited at a temperature within the above-noted range, and carbon monoxide pressures below conventional equilibrium pressures can be employed with little or no deposition of cobalt metal. Thus, in the presence of the subject ligands, hydroformylation reactions at elevated temperatures can be effected at considerably lower pressures than are otherwise required. This permits substantial economies of plant construction and operation. A further advantage of the subject process over the art accrues in that in conventional hydroformylation practice the hydrogenation of aldehyde to alcohol is inhibited by the necessarily high carbon monoxide partial pressures. The subject azoxy-dentated ligands permit such a substantial reduction in the carbon monoxide partial pressure of the reaction system that both hydroformylation and hydrogenation can be accomplished in a single reactor and/or with but a single catalyst system.

A further advantage arising from the presence of the subject ligands in a cobalt carbonyl-containing system is that such cobalt metal as may be formed does not plate-out on the contiguous surfaces of the system, but is found in general in the form of a loose, free-flowing powder which is slurried in liquid reactant and product mixtures.

As used herein, the term "complex compound" relates to combinations of two or more atoms, ions, or molecules which arise as a result of the formation of a bond(s) by the sharing of a pair(s) of electrons originally associated with only one of the components, and the complex possesses some identifiable physical or chemical characteristics of a distinct species.

By an "azoxy-dentated chelation ligand" is meant by definition, as used herein, an organic compound containing the functional grouping ##STR1## where M is hydrogen, or an alkali metal, alkaline earth metal or ammonium cation and the open valences of the functional groups are satisfied by bonds to hydrogen or hydrocarbon radicals. Organic compounds containing these functional chelation groupings are capable of forming 5- or 6-membered heterocyclic rings with cobalt as follows: ##STR2## the analogous structures where there is a carbon-nitrogen double bond, for example ##STR3## where the arrows connote electron-pair sharing between the donor atoms, oxygen or nitrogen, and the donee atom, cobalt, and the open valences are satisfied as noted above.

The azoxy-dentated ligands of the present invention contain at least one oxygen-nitrogen-containing azoxy-ligand functional group, and by reason of the above-prescribed atomic arrangement are capable of forming a bidentate coordination complex, a chelate, in which a cobalt atom is a member of a heterocyclic ring. The atoms of the oxygen-nitrogen pair each have at least one free pair of electrons (i.e., non-bonded electron pair) which are shared in the formation of the chelate. Organic compounds in general having the aforementioned configuration are suitable azoxy-dentated ligands useful for the stabilization of cobalt carbonyl complex compounds within the above-noted temperature range and in the presence of carbon monoxide.

Azoxy-dentated ligands having a substantial standard cobalt-ligand association constant are especially useful for the subject stabilizations and are preferred, particularly where they are composed of carbon, hydrogen, oxygen and nitrogen. On the other hand, azoxy-dentated ligands may contain additional elements, that is, where one or more hydrogen atoms bonded to carbon of the compound other than carbon contained in the azoxy functional chelation grouping noted above are replaced by inert substituent groups, that is non-chelating (i.e., located outside of the bidentate functional grouping, as defined above) hydroxyl, carboxyl, ether, ester, keto, or aldehyde functional groups; non-chelating nitrogen groups such as amino, imino, nitrilo, and amide groups; halogen groups as fluoride, bromide and chloride; and sulfone, sulfoxide and sulfonate.

Surprisingly, azoxy-dentated ligands need not be soluble in the system containing the cobalt carbonyl compound. However, better results in general are obtained when these ligands have an appreciable (at least about 0.01 gram of ligand per 100 grams of the system) solubility at the temperature of the use. Structural considerations, other than the presence of the above-prescribed functional chelate grouping for the subject azoxy-dentated ligands, do not pose a functional limitation upon the invention. The compounds contemplated for use herein may be of any structural type so long as they have the prescribed functional chelate grouping, i.e., contemplated compounds may be of any structural type including acyclic, cyclic, polycyclic, heterocyclic and mixed structural variations thereof, and may include carbon skeletons which are saturated, partially saturated, and/or aromatic.

The oxygen atom of the electron pair donor atoms of the functional chelation group of the ligand may be present in any carbon-oxygen functional group. Representative carbon-oxygen functional groups include carbonyl, carboxyl, ester, hydroxyl, ether, aldehyde, and the like groups.

The nitrogen atom of the electron pair donor atoms of the ligand may be present in any trivalent nitrogen-containing functional group in which the nitrogen atom may have single- or double-bond attachment to other atoms. Representative nitrogen-containing functional groups include primary, secondary or tertiary amines, hydroxylamine, imine, and the like.

By a standard cobalt-ligand association constant, as used herein, is meant by definition the constant at 18°-30° C. in a water or water-dioxane (40:60, respectively) solvent for the equilibrium:

    Co.sup.+2 + L.sup.a ⃡ (CoL) .sup.[+(1)+(a)]

where L is the ligand and ##EQU1## (The mixed solvent is required for ligands having little or no water solubility at the standard temperature) where L is the ligand, a is the charge (0,1,-1) value of the ligand.

By a "substantial cobalt-ligand association constant" is meant a value for log K (units are liter mol⁻¹) as follows):

(1) for a wholly aqueous solvent a value of at least 4;

(2) for a 60-40 dioxane-water medium a value of at least 7.

For representative data and background information, see "Stability Constants of Metal-Ion Complexes" by L. G. Sillen and A. E. Martell, Special Publication No. 17, London; The Chemical Society, Burlington House, 1964.

The stability of cobalt carbonyl complex compounds which are free of cobalt-phosphorus bonds and of cobalt-metal bonds, other than cobalt-cobalt bonds, are in general improved by the method of the present invention. Especially advantageous is the use of the present method for the stabilization of dicobalt octacarbonyl, cobalt hydrocarbonyl, and tetracobalt dodecacarbonyl, i.e., cobalt carbonyl complex compounds and the systems tending to equilibrate which result where mixtures of these materials and carbon monoxide gas are at temperatures in the range from about 100° C. to about 225° C.

The cobalt-containing complexes which are stabilized by the present method can be prepared by known methods. In this preparation, the subject azoxy-dentated ligands may be present during the generation of the cobalt carbonyl complex compound or subsequent thereto. In general, better results in terms of stabilization effects obtain when these ligands are present initially. Normally these complexes are formed in situ by the reaction of cobalt oxide, a cobalt salt or soap with hydrogen and carbon monoxide at elevated temperatures and pressures in a reaction in which a mixed species of carbonyls appears to be formed, including dicobalt octacarbonyl, cobalt hydrocarbonyl and a cobalt salt, CO[Co(CO)₄ ]₂. The mixture tends to equilibrate between these species and at a lower rate, in the absence of the subject ligands, with cobalt metal. The mechanism of the present stabilization may actually be a kinetic hindrance of the latter stage. The medium for the in-situ preparation in general comprises a liquid reactant, for example an unsaturated organic compound or an olefinic hydrocarbon, from a reaction system for which the cobalt carbonyl complex is to serve as a catalyst. Inert liquid media or diluents such as saturated hydrocarbons, aromatic hydrocarbons, alcohols, high-boiling reaction byproducts, etc., as known in the art, may also be employed.

The amount of the subject azoxy-dentated ligands which should be present for satisfactory results varies, and in general appears to be functionally related to the cobalt ligand association constant. That is, for a given stabilization (time-temperature and corresponding degree of cobalt metal formation) a smaller amount of a ligand having a high association constant will be required for satisfactory stabilization than of a ligand having a relatively lower association constant. The azoxy-dentated chelation ligands preferred for use in the present invention have a cobalt-ligand association constant, water medium of at least about 10⁴ liter mol⁻¹, or 60-40 dioxane-water medium of at least about 10⁷ liter mol⁻¹, or corresponding values for other organic solvent media. In general, the stabilizing effect increases as the association constant becomes larger.

The relative amount of the added azoxy-dentated ligand which should be present varies. Usually even a trace, i.e., of the order of 10⁻⁴ mols per atomic weight of cobalt, is helpful. However, as a practical matter, in general at least about 0.001 mol of the ligand per mol of cobalt in the cobalt carbonyl complex compound should be added. Satisfactory amounts of the ligand are in general in the range below 0.5 mol of ligand per mol of cobalt. Ordinarily the use of amounts of the ligand in excess of 0.5 mol per mol of cobalt is undesirable for reasons of relative inefficiency, cost and the like. Usually, better results obtain when the mol ratio is substantially less than stoichiometric, i.e., is in the range 0.01-0.40 to 1, preferably 0.1-0.25 to 1.

Representative azoxy-dentated ligands useful in the practice of this invention include:

ethylenediamine N,N,N',N'-tetraacetic acid (EDTA);

N'-(2-hydroxyethyl)ethylenediamine-N,N,N'-triacetic acid (HEDTA);

N,n'-di-(2-hydroxyethyl)ethylenediamine-N,N'-diacetic acid;

trans-1,2-cyclohexylenedinitrilotetraacetic acid;

alkyl, aryl or aralkyl-substituted EDTA compounds, such as

N-benzylethylenediaminetriacetic acid;

N-butylethylenediaminetriacetic acid;

N-cyclohexylethylenediaminetriacetic acid;

N,n'-dimethylethylenediaminediacetic acid;

ethylenediamine-N,N'-dipropanoic acid;

diethylenetriamine-N,N,N,N',N"-pentaacetic acid;

ethylenediamine-N,N,N',N'-tetrapropionic acid;

the carboxylic acid esters and mixed acid esters of the foregoing, as well as the salts of the foregoing acids, particularly their salts with tertiary or heterocyclic amines such as pyridine, as well as with ammonium, alkali metal or alkaline earth metal cations, e.g., the ethylenediamine carboxylic acids, salts and esters containing from 1 to 5 azoxy-dentate functional groups, and the like azoxy-dentated ligands.

Other representative azoxy-dentated ligands include:

nitrilotriacetic acid (NTA);

iminodiacetic acid;

N-methylaminodiacetic acid;

beta-hydroxyethyliminodiacetic acid;

N-(2-hydroxyethyl)glycine;

N,n-bis(2-hydroxyethyl)glycine;

beta-alanine-N,N-diacetic acid;

aniline-N,N-diacetic acid;

N,n-(diacetic acid)-2-aminobenzoic acid;

alpha-aminobutyric acid;

alpha-amino-alpha-methylpropionic acid;

glutamic acid;

1-aminocyclopentane carboxylic acid;

iminodipropionic acid;

1-amino-2-propanone-N,N-diacetic acid;

1-aminocyclohexane carboxylic acid;

N-(carboxymethyl)iminodipropionic acid;

N-(2-hydroxyethyl)iminodipropionic acid;

N,n-di-(2-hydroxyethyl)glycine;

hexamethylenediamine-N,N,N',N'-tetraacetic acid;

and the like compounds.

Still other representative azoxy-dentated ligands, that is non-acidic azoxy-dentated ligands, useful in the present invention include:

N,n,n',n'-tetra-(2-hydroxyethyl)ethylenediamine;

N,n,n',n'-tetra(2-hydroxypropyl)ethylenediamine;

N,n'-di-(2-hydroxyethyl)ethylenediamine;

2-hydroxymethylpyridine;

8-hydroxyquinoline;

8-hydroxy-2-methylquinoline;

o-aminophenol;

N-(3-aminopropyl)diethanolamine;

the salts as above of the foregoing, especially with the higher (C₅ -C₂₀) carboxylic acids, i.e., fatty acids; also including the salts of the azoxy-dentate-type acids of the preceding paragraphs with the non-acidic azoxy-dentated ligands; and the like.

Yet further representative azoxy-dentated ligands include:

2,2'-hydroxyphenylimidazoline;

pyridine-2-carboxylic acid;

pyridine-2,6-dicarboxylic acid;

trans-piperazine-2,3-dicarboxylic acid;

piperazine-2,5-dicarboxylic acid;

piperazine-2,6-dicarboxylic acid;

piperidine-2,6-dicarboxylic acid;

8-hydroxyquinoline;

2-aminomethylpyridine-1-acetic acid;

2,2'-hydroxyphenylimidazoline;

quinoline-2-carboxylic acid;

4,4'-ethylenediiminodi-(pentan-2-one);

4-(phenylimino)pentan-2-one;

salicylanilide;

salicylaldoxime;

bis-(salicylidine)-o-phenylenediamine;

methylglyoxime;

dimethylglyoxime;

and the like.

Representative azoxy-dentated ligands containing one or more non-interfering, i.e., inert, substituents include:

beta-aminoethylsulfonic acid-N,N-diacetic acid;

3-sulfoaniline diacetic acid;

4-hydroxypyridine-2,6-dicarboxylic acid;

3-hydroxyanthranilic acid;

5,7-dichloro-8-hydroxyquinoline;

5-chloro-8-hydroxyquinoline;

8-hydroxyquinoline-5-sulfonic acid;

5-cyano-8-hydroxyquinoline;

4-chloro-2-aminobutyric acid;

1-amino-3-fluorocyclohexane carboxylic acid;

3-methoxyaniline-N,N-diacetic acid;

and the like compounds.

The following azoxy-dentated ligands are particularly effective cobalt carbonyl complex compound stabilizers and are are preferred for reasons of cost and availability:

(1) N-(2-hydroxyethyl)ethylenediamine-N,N',N'-triacetic acid;

(2) N,N,N',N'-tetra-(2-hydroxyethyl)ethylenediamine;

(3) N,N,N',N'-tetra-(2-hydroxypropyl)ethylenediamine;

(4) N-(3-aminopropyl)diethanolamine; and

(5) 8-hydroxyquinoline.

The salts of (1) with (2) or (3) are very convenient ligand systems and effective.

In accordance with the invention and in a particular aspect thereof alcohols and/or aldehydes are prepared by the hydroformylation of olefinic compounds by intimately contacting the latter in the liquid phase with hydrogen and carbon monoxide in a reaction under defined conditions of temperature and pressure, catalyzed by complex cobalt carbonyl compounds and stabilized by the presence of added azoxy-dentated ligands.

The principal effect of the presence of the azoxy-dentated ligands of the invention upon cobalt carbonyl complex compounds is that of inhibiting their destructive dissociation with the formation of cobalt metal. Little or no interference with the normal catalytic action of cobalt carbonyl compounds occurs from the presence of the added ligands. Thus, in general, in the employment of the stabilized cobalt carbonyls of the invention the conditions which are satisfactory, as known in the art, are also satisfactory herein. For example, in olefin hydroformylations, suitable reaction temperatures are in the range 100°-225° C., preferably from about 125° to about 200° C. Suitable catalyst-to-feed ratios may vary widely and preferably are varied to achieve, where possible, a substantially homogenous reaction mixture. Catalyst concentrations, based upon olefin feed (weight percentages) and calculated as cobalt metal in the range 0.05 to 5.0 weight percent are usually satisfactory. Preferred amounts ordinarily are in the range 0.1 to 0.5.

At elevated temperatures, cobalt carbonyl compounds are normally maintained by subjecting them to substantial partial pressures of carbon monoxide. These pressures may be satisfactorily employed in the present invention, but in general the stabilizing action of the subject oxygen-dentated ligands markedly lowers the partial pressure of carbon monoxide required for this purpose. Thus, for the present process, system pressures may vary from about 50 psig at temperatures of the order of 75° C. up to as much as 4000-5000 psig at temperatures of the order of 225° C.

The ratio of hydrogen to carbon monoxide charged may vary widely. Usually a mol ratio of hydrogen to carbon monoxide in the range 0.5-10 to 1, respectively, is satisfactory. The range 1-3 to 1 is preferred. The synthesis gas (from the partial combustion of natural gas or naphtha) of commerce is a particularly useful mixture.

Olefinically unsaturated organic compounds as known in the hydroformylation (oxo) art are, in generaly, satisfactory feeds for use in the present invention. Preferred feeds are mono-olefinic hydrocarbons. Of these, linear olefins of the C₃ to C₂₀ range, propylene oligomers and the like, are the more desirable feeds. Where branched-chain olefins are used for the production of oxo-alcohols, it is often more advantageous to effect the carbon monoxide-hydrogen addition to the olefinic double bond at about 140°-170° C. and to subsequently raise the reaction mixture to a higher temperature (180°-210° C.) where the reduction of the aldehyde group proceeds more favorably.

Representative olefinic hydrocarbons suitable for use herein include ethene, propene, 1-hexene, 3-heptene, 4-octene, cyclohexene, beta-pinene, alpha-pinene, 2-heptene, 3-ethyl-pentene-1,2-methylpentene-2, cyclopentene, 2(n-propyl)pentene-1, diisobutylene, propylene trimer, codimer heptenes, vinylcyclohexene, cyclododecene, 3-eicosene, 1-dodecene, and the like olefinic hydrocarbons.

COBALT CARBONYL STABILITY TEST

The stabilizing action of azoxy-dentated ligands upon complex cobalt carbonyl compounds is shown by means of a suitable test. The relative stabilizing action upon these carbonyl compounds is shown by subjecting them to a standard set of conditions with and without the added ligand. These conditions include:

    ______________________________________                                         Temperature, ° C                                                                          190                                                          Time, hrs.         6                                                           Solvent           Mixed alcohol-alkane                                         H.sub.2 :CO mol ratio                                                                            2:1                                                          Pressure, psig    1600-1800                                                    ______________________________________                                    

The test is carried out in a stainless-steel rocking autoclave having a glass liner. Under the test conditions, cobalt salts such as cobalt 2-ethylhexanoate are rapidly converted to complex cobalt carbonyls. Therefore, as a matter of convenience, the salt rather than the carbonyl compound is charged to the autoclave. After the 6 hours at temperature with agitation, the autoclave and contents are cooled to room temperature and vented. The solution is then filtered and analyzed for cobalt carbonyl by infrared absorption at about 2041 cm⁻¹. Metallic solid, if present, and its form are noted. In the absence of stabilizers and under the test conditions all of the cobalt carbonyl is converted to a cobalt metal plate which is found adhering to the walls of the glass liner and autoclave. In the presence of an effective stabilizer, little or no metal plating-out occurs, or but small amounts of filterable metal powder are formed. With stabilizers of intermediate effectiveness, little or no metal is found in the liner; but metal may be found outside the liner, either deposited on the external liner wall or the autoclave wall, or loosely lodged between the liner and the autoclave wall. Decompositions outside the liner appear to be due to the higher temperatures which exist at the autoclave wall because of the proximity of the heating element and the low level of the stabilizer. The stabilizer inhibits decomposition of the cobalt carbonyl in the solution inside the liner, but does not prevent some diffusion through the vent holes in the liner into the void between the liner and the autoclave inner wall. In Table I below is listed a number of representative stability test results.

                                      TABLE I                                      __________________________________________________________________________                                                   Log                                                                            Standard                                                     Mols          % Of                                                                               Ligand-                                                      Per Conditions.sup.2                                                                         Cobalt                                                                             Cobalt                           Ex.                    Wt % Of                                                                             Mol Pressure.sup.3                                                                       Time,                                                                              As Co.sub.2                                                                        Assoc.                           No.                                                                                 Ligand Used       Solution.sup.1                                                                      Cobalt                                                                             Psic  Hours                                                                              (CO).sub.8                                                                         Constant                                                                              Observations              __________________________________________________________________________     1  None                --   --  1500  6   None                                                                               --   All Metal Plated Out        2  None (0.16g Pyridine Added)                                                                        --   --   1800.sup.4                                                                          6   None                                                                               --   All Metal Plated Out        3  (NCH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 N)(CH.sub.2 CO.sub.2 H).sub.4                                                  0.143                                                                               0.1 1700  6   25  16.1 Metal Powder Outside                                                           Liner                       4  (NCH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 N)(CH.sub.2 CHOHCH.sub.3).sub.4                                                0.236                                                                               0.085                                                                              1840  10  67  6.33 Trace of Metal              5  (NCH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 N)(CH.sub.2 CHOHCH.sub.3).sub.4                                                0.236                                                                               0.25                                                                               1330  6   72  6.33 Some Metal Powder           6  8-HYDROXYQUINOLINE  0.145                                                                               0.25                                                                               1700  6   Trace                                                                              9.1  No Metal; Probably                                                             [Co(CO).sub.4 -]            7  (NCH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 N)(CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 OH).sub.4                                                 0.236                                                                               0.25                                                                               1600  6   43  5.04 Some Red Oil; No                                                               Metal [Co(CO).sub.4                                                            -]                          8  (NCH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 N)(CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 OH).sub.4                                                 0.047                                                                               0.05                                                                               1700  17  27  5.04 Trace Metal Powder          9  (NCH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 N)(CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 OH).sub.4                                                 0.236                                                                               0.05                                                                               1330  6   45-55                                                                              5.04 No Metal Inside                                                                Liner;                                                                         Metal Plate Outside         10 (NCH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 N)(CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 OH)(CH.sub.2 CO.sub.2                 H).sub.3            0.05 0.046                                                                              1020  6   64  14.4 Metal Plate at One                                                             Spot                        11 (NCH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 N)(CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 OH)(CH.sub.2 CO.sub.2                 H).sub.3            0.05 0.046                                                                              1300  6   96  14.4 Trace Red and Grey                                                             Solids                      12 (NCH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 N)(CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 OH)(CH.sub.2 CO.sub.2                 H).sub.3            0.05 0.046                                                                              1670  17  49  14.4 No Metal, Red Solids                                                           Present                     13 (NCH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 N)(CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 OH)(CH.sub.2 CO.sub.2                 H).sub.3            0.05 0.046                                                                              1700  6   52  14.4 No Metal, Red Solids                                                           Present                     14 (NCH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 N)(CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 OH)(CH.sub.2 CO.sub.2                 H).sub.3            0.01 0.009                                                                              1730  6   60  14.4 Metal Powder in             __________________________________________________________________________                                                        Liner                        .sup.1 Solvent: 50g n-heptane plus 50g C.sub.12 -C.sub.15 oxo-alcohol; al      runs with 0.236g of cobalt as octanoate                                        .sup.2 Temperature 190° C                                               .sup.3 H.sub.2 :CO mol ratio 2:1                                               .sup.4 H.sub.2 :CO ratio 1.3:1                                           

The above examples demonstrate that azoxy-dentated ligands stabilize cobalt carbonyl complex compounds when used in surprisingly small amounts. Substantial inhibition of thermal destructive dissociation of these compounds to metal and residue is shown, and such metal as may be produced is mainly in the form of a loose powder rather than plated-out upon portions of the walls of the containing system. Thus, although carbon monoxide partial pressures may be as much as 2200 pounds below the carbon monoxide pressure required for maintaining cobalt carbonyl complex compounds in the absence of the azoxy-ligand, the presence of the subject ligands in contact with the carbonyl compounds inhibits their dissociation.

Even where the stabilizing action of the azoxy-ligand may not be sufficient to maintain at least some cobalt carbonyl values in the system after 6 hours of the above severe test conditions, nevertheless the presence of the ligand has a useful and salutory effect. Ordinarily in the use of cobalt carbonyl compounds, reaction times are less than 6 hours and azoxy-ligand stabilizers which are not effective under the above severe 6-hour test are in fact satisfactory inhibitors. A further advantage resulting from the use of the azoxy-dentate ligands as demonstrated by the examples is that such cobalt metal as may be produced is in the form of a loose metal powder rather than in the form of an adhering plated-out film upon portions of the reaction system surface.

As shown in subsequent examples which further illustrate the present invention, the presence of the instant azoxy-ligands permits the effective use of cobalt carbonyl complex compounds in reaction systems having a reduced carbon monoxide partial pressure.

In addition to the above stabilizers, other representative azoxy-dentated ligands including 4,4'-dimorpholino methane, N,N'-di(2-hydroxy-x-dodecylbenzyl) ethylenediamine, tetraethyl ethylenediamine tetraacetate, oleyl sarcosine, and N-(3-aminopropyl)diethanolamine were subjected to the above-described stability test. The demonstrated stabilization effects ranged from good to excellent with little or no deposition of cobalt occurring inside the bomb liner. On the other hand, when the ligand contained no oxygen, for example diethylenetriamine, ethylenediamine, 1,3-propanediamine, no more than a trace, if any, cobalt carbonyl survived the test and the bulk of the cobalt was plated-out as metal on the liner walls.

These data further show that the subject ligands do not materially change the nature of the effective cobalt carbonyl catalyst species in a hydroformylation. It further appears that the action of these ligands in facilitating a hydroformylation reaction is in the nature of inhibiting cobalt metal formation. Cobalt carbonyl-catalyzed hydrogenations of oxo aldehydes are favored by high temperatures (180°-200° C.) and by low pressures of carbon monoxide. Thus, the presence of the instant ligands permits operation under conditions which permit effective conversion of olefins to alcohols in a single stage or reactor and with excellent yields.

EXAMPLES 15-17

In these examples, representative azoxy-dentated ligands were employed for stabilization of the cobalt carbonyl catalysts in the hydroformylation of alkenes. The reactions were carried out in a rocking autoclave using 0.24 gram of cobalt (as carboxylate salt) in heptane diluent and a hydrogen to carbon monoxide mol ratio of 2:1. The other conditions and results were as noted in Table II.

                                      TABLE II                                     __________________________________________________________________________     SINGLE STAGE HYDROFORMYLATIONS                                                            Cobalt,                                                                        Wt %        Conditions  Products,                                   Ex.        of   Mols Ligand                                                                           Temp.                                                                              Pressure                                                                            Time                                                                              Mol %.sup.(1)                               No.                                                                               Azoxy-Ligand                                                                           Olefin.sup.(O)                                                                      Mol Cobalt                                                                            ° C.                                                                        psig Min.                                                                              RCH.sub.2 OH                                                                         RCHO                                  __________________________________________________________________________     15 o-Aminophenol                                                                          0.47 0.25   190 2190 120                                                                               76    Trace                                 16 ENTOL.sup.(2)                                                                          1.2  0.04    93 2140 120                                                                                2    81.sup.(4)                            17 ENTPROL.sup.(3)                                                                        0.25 0.5    190 1800 140                                                                               71    2                                     __________________________________________________________________________      .sup.(0) All feeds .sub.m -C.sub.13 -1-alkene except for example 17 in         which 1-octene was used.                                                       .sup.(1) Based upon olefin feed. Balance is paraffin and polymer.              .sup.(2) ENTOL IS (NCH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 N) (CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 OH).sub.4          .sup.(3) ENTPROL is (NCH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 N) (CH.sub.2 CH(OH)CH.sub.3).sub.      .sup.(4) 92% conversion.                                                 

The above examples demonstrate that organic compounds containing the subject azoxy-dentate functional grouping markedly stabilize cobalt carbonyl complex compounds. In these runs there was negligible, if any, formation of cobalt metal. The catalyst conditions at the end of the run with the reaction mixture at room temperature were as follows:

    ______________________________________                                         Example     Catalyst Form                                                      ______________________________________                                         15      No metal                                                               16      No metal; some cobalt as complex in separated red                              oil phase                                                              17      No metal; no separated red oil phase                                   ______________________________________                                    

In the absence of the above azoxy-ligands, and under comparable reaction conditions, system pressures must in general be much higher, otherwise conversions and yields of the desired product were unsatisfactory and the cobalt of the catalyst is found to be all, or in substantial part, plated-out on the reactor surfaces in contact with the reaction medium.

The foregoing examples also show that the subject azoxy-dentated ligands are useful as a means of inhibiting the plating-out of cobalt metal onto the surfaces of systems containing cobalt carbonyl complex compounds at temperatures and carbon monoxide partial pressures where destructive dissociation of these complex compounds occurs, e.g., at temperatures in the range from about 50° C. to 225° C. and at pressures in the range from about 1 to 300 atmospheres.

EXAMPLES 18-28

These examples were carried out in the manner as in Examples 15-17 above using the C₁₃ olefin feed, unless otherwise noted, except that two temperature stages were used in Examples 20 and 26 and in the first stage the mol ratio H₂ : CO was 1:1 to 1.2:1, while in the second it was 3:1. In Example 27, a 3:1 mol ratio of H₂ :CO was used throughout. Other conditions and results are shown in Table III below.

                                      TABLE III                                    __________________________________________________________________________     TWO STAGE HYDROFORMYLATIONS                                                                      Cobalt      Conditions   Products,                           Ex.               Wt % of                                                                             Mols Ligand                                                                           Temp.                                                                              Pressure                                                                            Time                                                                               Mol %.sup.1                         No.                                                                               Azoxy-Ligand   Olefin                                                                              Mol Cobalt                                                                            ° C                                                                         psig Min.                                                                               RCH.sub.2 OH                                                                         RCHO                          __________________________________________________________________________     18 8-HYDROXYQUINOLINE                                                                            0.94 0.25    93 2120 180                                                                   191 2450 90  83    Trace                         19 NTA.sup.2      0.47 0.25   149 2000 125                                                                   191 2250 110 80    Trace                         20 ENTPROL.sup.3  0.25.sup.4                                                                          0.05   163 1300 55                                                                    190 1820 65  72      0.7                         21 EDTA.sup.5     0.47 0.25   149 2000 90                                                                    191 2200 110 80    Trace                         22 EDTA           0.94 0.25    95 2070 180                                                                   191 2360 60  85    2                             23 HEDTA.sup.6,10 1.2  6×.sup.-4                                                                        93 2140 180                                                                   191 2280 60  77    3                             24 HEDTA.sup.10   0.94 0.25   110 1900 120                                                                   191 2150 120 83    1                             25 8-HYDROXYQUINOLINE.sup.10                                                                     0.94.sup.7                                                                          0.25    82 2000 260 80                                                                191 2150 90        Trace                         26 HEDTA          0.25.sup.8                                                                          0.08   163 1340 45                                                                    190 1950 75  73    1                             27 ENTOL.sup.9    0.47 0.25    93 2380 75                                                                    135 2475 120 84    Trace                         28 HEDTA          0.24.sup.11                                                                         0.11   160 1400 163                                                                   188 2000 191 (98 wt.%)                                                                            Trace                         __________________________________________________________________________      .sup.1 Based on Feed and 100% conversion. Balance RH and Polymer.              .sup.2 NTA is N(CH.sub.2 CO.sub.2 H).sub.3                                     .sup.3 ENTPROL is (NCH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 N) (CH.sub.2 CH(OH)CH.sub.3).sub.4       .sup.4 Feed was 1-octene                                                       .sup.5 EDTA is (NCH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 N) (CH.sub.2 CO.sub.2 H).sub.4              .sup.6 HEDTA is (NCH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 N) (CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 OH) (CH.sub.2        CO.sub.2 H).sub.3                                                              .sup.7 Feed was 1-dodecene                                                     .sup.8 Feed was branched heptenes from olefin polymer                          .sup.9 ENTOL is (NCH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 N) (CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 OH).sub.4            .sup.10 Co.sup.2+  converted to Co.sub.2 (CO).sub.8  by reaction with CO       and H.sub.2 at higher temperature before addition of olefin.                   .sup.11 Feed was 57 wt.% trans-4-octene, 30 wt.% 3-heptenes, and 13 wt.%       1-hexene, in benzene solvent.                                            

The foregoing examples show that azoxy-dentated ligands in general are effective agents for the stabilization of cobalt carbonyl complex compounds. Mol ratios of the ligand to the cobalt of the carbonyl of the compound may vary widely depending upon the particular ligand being used. Ratios as small as 6×10⁻⁴, Example 23, are effective.

In addition to the above-described advantages of the present invention, there is a large reaction rate gain in the production of oxo alcohols which is made possible by the presence of the present azoxy-dentated ligands. This effect can be understood from a consideration of the rate equation for the conversion of aldehydes to alcohols with cobalt carbonyl catalyst:

    d(ROH)/dt=k(RCHO) (Co) (pH.sub.2)/(pCO).sup.2.

the foregoing examples demonstrate that the presence of the azoxy ligand makes possible the employment of lower carbon monoxide partial pressures. Thus, since the hydrogenation reaction rate is inversely proportional to the square of the carbon monoxide pressure, a reduction in this pressure is reflected by large rate gains in the production of the alcohol.

The above examples demonstrate appreciable yield and pressure reduction advantages over the conventional unmodified reaction. Similarly, relative advantages of the instant azoxy-dentated ligands over the organo phosphine-type materials are evident. The latter appear to substantially decrease the catalyst activity. Moreover, about 100-150 times more of the organo phosphine is required than for the azoxy-ligand.

Hydroformylation of n-Alkenes

Straight-chain n-alkanols or isomeric alkanol mixtures containing predominantly n-alkanol are preferred in the art for many uses. In the hydroformylation of straight-chain alkenes, e.g., n-x-alkenes where x may connote terminal or internal olefinic unsaturation, the use of the subject azoxy-dentated hydroformylation catalysts results in substantially the conventional product distribution, as may be noted from the comparative examples noted in Table IV, carried out at 177° C.

                  TABLE IV                                                         ______________________________________                                         Example              Product, % n-1-alkanol                                    No.      Olefin Feed No Ligand  Ligand Added                                   ______________________________________                                         29       1-heptene   50         50                                             30       2-heptene   50         50                                             31       3-heptene   --         50                                             ______________________________________                                    

Hydroformylation of Branched-Chain Alkenes

A yet further advantage is notable from the use of the subject azoxy-dentated ligand stabilization of the cobalt carbonyl catalyst where branched-chain alkene feeds are hydroformylated. Isomeric branched-chain heptenes are widely used for the production of isooctyl alcohols. Branched-chain C₆ and C₈ olefins are used to make C₇ and C₉ alcohols, and nonenes from propylene oligomerization are used to make isodecyl alcohol.

                                      TABLE V                                      __________________________________________________________________________     HYDROFORMYLATION OF BRANCHED OLEFINS                                                          Cobalt   Mol              Product                                              Wt %     Modifier         Alcohol                               Ex.            of  Catalyst                                                                            Mol  Temp.                                                                              Pressure.sup.2                                                                      Time                                                                              Wt % of                               No.                                                                               Olefin      Olefin                                                                             Stabilizer                                                                          Cobalt                                                                              ° C                                                                         psig Min.                                                                              Olefin                                __________________________________________________________________________     32 HEPTENES    0.25                                                                               HEDTA                                                                               0.08 162 1340 45                                                                    188 1950 75 96                                    33 HEPTENES    0.25                                                                               NONE --   175  3500.sup.1                                                                         90  94.sup.3                             34 DIISOBUTYLENE                                                                              0.25                                                                               HEDTA                                                                               0.04 160 1300 60                                                                    189 1900 60 77                                    35 3-ETHYL-1-PENTENE                                                                          0.26                                                                               HEDTA                                                                               0.09 160-168                                                                            1450  120                                                                      2000  120                                                                              94                                    36 OCTENES.sup.4                                                                              0.22                                                                               HEDTA                                                                               0.12 160 1450  60                                                                   188 2100  120                                                                              98                                    __________________________________________________________________________      .sup.1l Conventional method. Yield after separate hydrogenation of             aldehydes.                                                                     .sup.2 Where two pressures are shown, initial pressure is at 1:1 H.sub.2       :CO mol rate, and second pressure at 3:1 H.sub.2 :CO mol ratio, except as      noted.                                                                         .sup.3 1.2:1 H.sub.2 :CO mol ratio.                                            .sup.4 Mainly 2-(n-propyl)-pentene-1 and 2-methyl-3-ethyl-pentene-1.     

From a comparison of Examples 32-36, it is to be seen that the use of the azoxy-dentated ligands herein in the formylation of branched-chain olefins results in substantial advantages, particularly in the case of the diisobutylene-type olefins. The use of only a trace of azoxy ligand results in almost double the alcohol yield compared to the use of a phosphine-type catalyst modifier where especially large amounts of the costly phosphine are required.

Azoxy-Dentated Ligand Mixtures

Mixtures of the subject ligands may be used and can at times be more advantageously employed than an individual ligand. In the following example, (NCH₂ CH₂ N) (CH₂ CH₂ OH) (CH₂ CO₂ H)₃ was found to have limited solubility or a slow rate of dissolution in the reaction medium. However, when a second ligand (NCH₂ CH₂ N)--(CH₂ CH[OH]CH₃)₄ was mixed with the carboxylic azoxy-ligand, both readily dissolved into the medium. Possibly there was an acid-base type interaction.

EXAMPLE 37

In a stirred 1-liter autoclave were charged 75 g (0.76 mol) of 3-heptene, 0.36 gram of cobalt (as the octanoate salt), 225 grams of benzene diluent and 0.16 weight percent, based upon the heptene, of a mixture of the above-noted ligands, HEDTA and ENTPROL. The weight ratio of the triacetic acid derivative to the tetranol was 1:5. The reaction and charge were freed of oxygen by a nitrogen purge and heated to 177° C. Carbon monoxide and hydrogen in the mol ratio of 1:2 respectively were charged to the heated reactor to a system pressure of 1300 psig. After an 80-minute reaction period the reactor and contents were cooled to room temperature, e.g., ca. 22° C. No cobalt metal deposit was formed. The conversion of the heptene was complete, and based upon the olefin feed the product mixture contained 70 mol percent of C₈ alcohol and 4 mol percent of C₈ aldehyde.

Hydroformylation-Aldol Condensations with Azoxy-Ligand Stabilization

A co-catalyst system comprising a complex cobalt carbonyl hydroformylation catalyst and added manganese is known to be useful for the production of dimer-alcohol. Presumably under the influence of the manganese, all or part of the initial aldehyde product from the hydroformylation undergoes an aldol-type condensation product which is hydrogenated to an alkanol under hydroformylation conditions. The subject azoxy-dentated ligands are effective stabilizers in the foregoing reaction systems.

EXAMPLE 38

A cobalt-manganese hydroformylation aldol condensation co-catalyst was prepared by charging to a 0.3-liter autoclave 2.5 g (0.005 mol) of cobalt octoate (11.8% cobalt), 5.0 g (0.0055 mol) of manganese naphthenate (6% manganese), 37.5 g of benzene and 0.07 g of an azoxy-dentated ligand mixture as in Example 37, except that the ratio of the tetranol to the triacetic acid derivative was 2.5 to 1, respectively. The sealed reactor and contents were heated to about 190° C. and pressured to about 1500 psig with a hydrogen-carbon monoxide mixture having a mol ratio of 2:1. After the cobalt carbonyl complex hydroformylation catalyst was formed (reaction time about 60 min.), the autoclave and contents were cooled and vented to facilitate the charging of 75 g (0.75 mol) of a C₇ -C₈ 1-alkene mixture (approximately 96% C₇). The autoclave was resealed and pressured to 900 psig with an equimolar gaseous mixture of hydrogen and carbon monoxide, and heated to 135° C.-150° C. and a pressure of 1050 psig for a period of 110 minutes. Thereafter, the temperature was raised to 190° C. while the pressure was increased to 1690 psig using hydrogen gas only. Thereafter pressure was maintained at 1690 psig by the addition of a 3:1 mol ratio mixture of hydrogen and carbon monoxide over a period of 90 minutes reaction time. The reactor and resulting product were cooled and vented. No cobalt or manganese metal was detectable in the reactor. The conversion was complete and the product analyzed (distillation and gas-liquid chromatography) as follows:

    ______________________________________                                         C Component      Yield, Weight, g                                              ______________________________________                                         C.sub.8 --C, alcohols                                                                           52.4                                                          C.sub.16 aldehyde                                                                               4.2                                                           C.sub.16 alcohol 13.0                                                          C.sub.17 alcohol 1.2                                                             Total          60.8                                                          ______________________________________                                    

A substantial yield of dimer alcohol was produced. 

What is claimed is:
 1. Process for the addition of a --CH₂ OH group to a hydroformylatable organic compound containing olefinic unsaturation which comprises contacting said compound with carbon monoxide and hydrogen at a temperature in the range from about 100° C. to 225° C. in the presence of a hydroformylation catalyst consisting essentially of a cobalt carbonyl complex compound wherein said catalyst is stabilized by the presence of an ethylenediamine carboxylic acid, salt or ester containing from 1 to 5 azoxy-dentate functional groups selected from ##STR4## where M is hydrogen, or an alkali metal, alkaline earth metal or ammonium cation and the open valences of the functional groups are satisfied by bonds to hydrogen or hydrocarbon radicals; and wherein the ethylenediamine carboxylic acid, salt or ester is present in an amount below 0.5 mcl of the ligand per mol of cobalt.
 2. The process as in claim 1 further characterized in that the ligand is N-(2-hydroxyethyl)ethylenediamine-N,N',N'-triacetic acid.
 3. The process as in claim 1 further characterized in that the stabilizer is a ligand salt.
 4. The process as in claim 1 further characterized in that the hydroformylatable organic compound is a mono-olefinic hydrocarbon.
 5. The process as in claim 1 further characterized in that the ligand is present in an amount from 0.01 to 0.40 mol per mol of cobalt. 